Category Archives: Shrewsbury Town

Swedish manager Hans Backe endured a frustrating first game in charge of League 2’s richest club. Fellow promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury Town came away from Meadow Lane – but it could, and should have been more.

Town started the better of the two sides, their slick passing creating an opportunity but Kevin McIntyre’s low cross just evaded the lunging Waide Fairhurst at the far post. But it wasn’t long until they had the lead, Dean Holden’s cross falling nicely for on-loan Jamie Devitt who buried his finish low past Kasper Schmeichel.

The match really came alive after half-time. Notts County came out in search of an equaliser, and Steve Phillips had to be alert to deny former Shrew Luke Rodgers at the near post. But is was Shrewsbury who had a glorious chance to extend their lead. Dean Holden put in another teasing delivery, which Schmeichel did well to claw out. The ball fell to top scorer Dave Hibbert, but his volley was cleared off the line.

It turned out to be the turning point in the game, as Town began to come under serious pressure. Backe introduced Ade Akinbiyi from the bench and he quickly produced a smart turn and shot to test Phillips. However it soon told, as skipper Graeme Lee lingered at the far post and Luke Rodgers found him in acres of space to nod in.

Shrews manager Paul Simpson was understandably disappointed with the final score, but this game was a fantastic advert for League 2 football.

Saturday saw league leaders Wycombe travel to home-specialists Shrewsbury who lay in third position. A win was vital for Town, who needed to close the six-point gap between the two sides.

Wycombe started the game well, with right-back Lewis Hunt raiding forward and crashing a shot against the bar. And the Shrews looked nervous, with goalkeeper Luke Daniels putting on a particularly bad display. Daniels had several poor kicks, leading to Wycombe attacks – one arriving at the feet of Matt Harrold who shot from 40 yards only to see Kelvin Langmead clear off the line.

However the goal didn’t come, and Shrewsbury ended the half the stronger, with Graeme Coughlan glancing a header wide from six yards.

Wanderers came out in the second half with Peter Taylor’s words still ringing in their ears. They grabbed the lead soon after, Gary Holt swinging in the corner straight to Luke Daniels, who was engulfed by three Wycombe players, Matt Harrold getting his head on the ball. It furthered the goalkeepers poor game – it really did look like a simple ball to claim.

Shrewsbury then set about a comeback. However Wycombe looked solid, and could have put the game beyond doubt when Harrold went clear only to fire wide. But a draw could have been salvaged late on, as a barrage of pressure rained down on the Wycombe defence. Coughlan and Dave Hibbert both had chances from six-yards, Coughlan mis-controlling to Hibbert, who then missed his kick. And Grant Holt headed over from close-range late-on.

All-in-all, Shrewsbury have themselves to blame, a particularly poor display in a game they really needed to win. Wycombe showed the sign of champions here – mark my words.

Spireites come back from two goals down to match a potent Shrews, writes Demetri Loizou.

Holt netted both Shrewsbury goals

Shewsbury controlled the first-half at Saltergate, with Chris Humphrey’s pace causing Chesterfield problems down the right wing. And in the fourth minute of three added on, Grant Holt was fouled by Chesterfield skipper Robert Page in the box. Holt converted, and his goal was soon followed by the half-time whistle. It was devastating for the Spireites to go into the break a goal down, after defending so well for most of the half.

Nine minutes after the break, Grant Holt added to Shrewsbury’s lead. After ripping open the home side’s defence, the ball emerged to Holt who had no trouble in smashing the top corner of Trevor Carson’s goal.

Shrewsbury looked like finally ending their away-day hoodoo, until former Shrew, Darren Currie entered the fray. This was an unlikely stroke of brilliance from manager Lee Richardson, as Currie netted his second Chesterfield goal just eight minutes after coming on. It was a horrible mistake by Shrews keeper Glynn Garner, and it started a Chesterfield comeback.

Four minutes later, centre-half Michael Jackson chopped Jack Lester en-route to goal and a penalty was given. The foul could have merited a red card, as Jackson was arguably the last man, but a yellow was deemed sufficient.

Jamie Ward converted from the spot to put the Spireites on level terms and suddenly it looked like Shrewsbury could lose the game. They came under a barrage of pressure, as two more penalty shouts were turned down. However, they were resolute enough to come away with a point.

Angelo Balanta set to unlock League 2 defences – Peter Taylor

Balanta has scored goals for QPR

Wycombe have signed 18-year old Colombian striker Angelo Balanta on a two-month loan deal. The skillful youngster has joined from QPR, and goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game against Bradford.

Peter Taylor told the Wycombe website:

“He is a little bit different and that’s why I wanted him.

“He is a very exciting player. We need someone that can unlock defences, and I think Angelo can do that.”

Elsewhere Shrewsbury have replaced the outgoing Michael Symes with Southampton teenager Jamie White. The 19-year old has joined on a month’s loan, and can play on the wing, or up front, and adds much needed pace to the Shrewsbury side.

And finally, (so many loan deals!) Luton have signed Kevin Gallen on (you guessed it) a month’s loan. The MK Don’s striker has had limited opportunities, and makes the short trip to Kenilworth Road. Luton fans can watch the video below, for a taste of the finishing they can expect over the next month.

Chesterfield v Shrewsbury ko. 7.30 – Preview by Demetri Loizou

A recently revived Spireites side host Shrewsbury Town in their first of three Friday night home league games this year. Chesterfield are currently on a five-match unbeaten run and will need to be on the top of their game to extend that to six. Whilst morale is high, they still sit in an average 12th position and manager Lee Richardson and everybody at the club will be desperate to push on into the play-offs.

Chesterfield’s recent results

Competition

Chesterfield 5-1 Aldershot Town

L2

Chesterfield 3-1 Notts County

L2

Exeter City 1-6 Chesterfield

L2

Bournemouth 1-1 Chesterfield

L2

Chesterfield 3-1 Mansfield Town

FAC1

Shrewsbury Town take up the second play-off position in the league and a win here would see them go top, even if just for a few hours. After suffering an embarrassing defeat to Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup, manager Paul Simpson will be determined to get his team back on track.

Shrewsbury Town’s recent results

Competition

Brentford 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

L2

Shrewsbury Town 2-2 Barnet

L2

Shrewsbury Town 3-0 Luton Town

L2

Shrewsbury Town 5-0 Dag & Red

JPT

Blyth Spartans 3-1 Shrewsbury Town

FAC1

Chesterfield top the League Two form table on a five-match unbeaten run and include Jamie Ward, the October Player of the month.

The Shrews’ top scorer in the league is Ben Davies, who is unfortunately missing after a hernia operation. A lot is at stake for both sides, and with the ridiculous kick-off time at 7:30, let’s hope there are no goals in the first fifteen minutes!

Scunthorpe striker Jonathan Forte has joined Notts County on a month’s loan. The 22-year old will make his debut against Barnet on Saturday, with the hope of lifting the Magpie’s up the table.

Not Junior, but Abu Agogo has signed for Barnet on a month’s loan from Arsenal. The 19-year old defender will give Paul Fairclough options, after Joe Devera was sidelined for a month.

Elsewhere, Shrewsbury Town striker Michael Symes, 25, has joined Bournemouth for a month on loan. Shrews boss Paul Simpson told the club’s website: “We have a big squad and I felt that the opportunity for Michael to go and get a month out on loan at Bournemouth would do him the world of good.”

And Gylfi Sigurdsson has returned to Reading after the Royals turned down Shrewsbury’s request to keep him for a further month.

Shrewsbury boosted their promotion hopes with a comfortable win over rock-bottom Luton, writes Steve Moore. The Shrews showed the form that has them as promotion favourites and always looked like winning from the moment Paul Murray’s shot rolled into the corner of the net for a fourth-minute lead.

Grant Holt and Richard Walker dominated the Luton centre-halves all day while Chris Humphrey gave young left back Jake Howells a torrid time, with Conrad Logan having to make several top saves to keep Luton in the game during the first half.

Luton did actually dominate for the first ten minutes of the first half but didn’t really create anything and still required a great save by Logan from Ben Davies on the counter-attack.

However, from that point, despite a fifty/fifty penalty appeal on the hour mark involving Tom Craddock in the area, the Shrews were in total control. Although keeper Conrad Logan was in inspired form, injury-hit Luton were breached for a second goal the 76th minute when Ben Davies rifled in a fine shot. Then the Shrews sealed the points when Grant Holt cheekily back-heeled Richard Walker’s low cross past Logan.